WNBA investigating racial slurs by followers made at Angel Reese throughout Fever recreation

NEW YORK — The WNBA is investigating racial feedback directed towards Angel Reese by followers throughout the Chicago Sky’s loss to Caitlin Clark and the Fever at Indiana on Saturday, based on an individual accustomed to the state of affairs.

The individual spoke to The Related Press on Sunday on situation of anonymity as a result of the league had not publicly recognized who the taunts had been directed towards or who made the allegations.

“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all varieties — they haven’t any place in our league or in society,” the league stated in a press release. “We’re conscious of the allegations and are wanting into the matter.”

Reese, who’s Black, and Clark, who’s white, met for the seventh time of their ongoing — and far talked about — rivalry. Clark was named Rookie of the Yr final season and Reese completed second within the voting.

The WNBA Gamers Union launched a press release quickly after the league’s touch upon the matter.

“The WNBPA is conscious of stories of hateful feedback at yesterday’s recreation in Indianapolis and helps the WNBA’s present investigation into this matter. Such habits is unacceptable in our sport,” the assertion stated. “Below the WNBA’s ‘No House for Hate’ coverage, we belief the league to totally examine and take swift, acceptable motion to make sure a secure and welcoming surroundings for all.”

The Sky and Fever will play 4 extra occasions throughout the common season this yr.

“We’re conscious of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct throughout yesterday’s recreation and we’re working intently with the WNBA to finish their investigation,” the Fever stated in a press release. “We stand agency in our dedication to offering a secure surroundings for all WNBA gamers.”

Reese had 12 factors and 17 rebounds within the 93-58 loss to the Fever. The Sky ahead and Clark had an incident on the courtroom with 4:38 left within the third quarter. It began with Reese grabbing an offensive rebound and Clark slapping Reese’s arm onerous sufficient to jar the ball free and knock Reese to ground.

When Reese acquired up, she tried to confront Clark earlier than Indiana middle Aliyah Boston stepped in between the 2 gamers. Clark’s third private foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1 whereas Boston and Reese every drew technical fouls following a replay assessment by the referees.

Each gamers downplayed the play after the sport.

The league launched “No House for Hate” this season, a multi-dimensional platform designed to fight hate and promote respect throughout all WNBA areas each on-line and in-arena.

The league is concentrated on 4 key areas: enhanced technological options to detect hateful feedback on-line; elevated emphasis on group, enviornment and league safety measures; reinforcing psychological well being sources; and alignment of core in opposition to hate.

This would be the league’s first check of it.